Tip selection

In order to join the Tangle, a new transaction must choose two previous ones to approve. In general, it will choose two previously unapproved transactions, ortips. The method for choosing these two tips is called the tip selection algorithm.

Nodes are not obligated to follow the recommended tip selection algorithm, which is outlined in this section. However it is designed so that if most nodes do follow it, the rest are incentivized to follow suit.